Gardens open for special glimpse
• John and Rae Wardlaw will open their garden in Ringarooma this weekend for a cause close to their hearts.
By Tina Hutchings
January 20, 2021
This weekend presents a rare opportunity to take a peek and enjoy some truly beautiful private gardens, as Ringarooma’s John and Rae Wardlaw, together with Mr Russell Horridge open their gates to welcome visitors for a worthy cause.
While they have allowed access to their gardens in years gone by, this weekend has a very special significance for the Wardlaws, aiming to raise money for research into stillbirth.
“Last year one of my daughters had a baby that died before it was born, at 31 weeks,” Mrs Wardlaw tells.
“It was just awful.
“It opened my eyes completely to how terrible that is - for the parents, of course, but I had no idea of the extent of it. And it’s not only on the mother, but also the whole family.”
According to Stillbirth Foundation Australia, six babies are born still each day in Australia.
“It’s devastating, for everyone.
“And because the Stillbirth Foundation is a community-based charity, it relies on people to give donations,” Mrs Wardlaw explained.
“So, we are doing this as our own way of supporting the organisation and increasing awareness, as well as to try and raise money for research, and to support families who are impacted by such tragedy.
“Because nobody knows why, there is no answer why an otherwise perfectly healthy baby dies in this way.
“This is something we feel comfortable doing; our way of helping.”
Looking around the lovely green spaces, sharing their garden with others seems an entirely generous, and somewhat brave way for the Wardlaws to do something positive.
They have an established a tree garden with lots of unusual shrubs and plants, built up over 36 years, starting from an empty cow paddock.
Surveying the lush garden spaces, bursting with plants and artfully dotted with Mrs Wardlaw’s mosaic works nestling amongst the greenery, it is hard to imagine the space as an empty paddock.
“The kids have all watched it grow over the years, as they were only tiny when we moved over here.
“We’ve just planted a little tree, too, for the baby, in memory.”
The $5 entry fee includes free tea and coffee, and the couple are encouraging visitors to make the most of the occasion and bring a picnic along to enjoy the gardens.
There will be ample parking available in the paddock, a stall with some garden produce, painted pots and plants for sale, with all contributions going to the Stillbirth Foundation. Cash and EFT facilities will be available at Highview Garden.
The open gardens will take place this Saturday and Sunday January 23 and 24 at 58 West Maurice Road Ringarooma and 130 Ruby Flat Road Ringarooma.